“You do not mean to reproach me, sir, for having followed the impulses
of my conscience?”
“I reproach you for nothing.”
“A horrible crime has been committed; and my duty compelled me to do all
that lies in the power of man to discover the culprit.”
“Yes; and the man who is accused of the crime is your friend, and only
yesterday you spoke of his friendship as your best chance of success in
life.”
“Sir?”
“Are you surprised to find me so well informed? Ah, you do not know
that nothing escapes the idle curiosity of a village. I know that your
dearest hope was to become a member of M. de Boiscoran’s family, and
that you counted upon him to back you in your efforts to obtain the hand
of one of his cousins.”
“I do not deny that.”
“Unfortunately, you have been tempted by the prestige you might gain
in a great and famous trial. You have laid aside all prudence; and your
projects are forgotten. Whether M. de Boiscoran is innocent or guilty,
his family will never forgive you your interference. If he is guilty,
they will blame you for having handed him over to justice: if he is
innocent, they will blame you even more for having suspected him.”